Publisher's Summary

In the early days of April 1941, the 14,000 Australian forces garrisoned in the Libyan town of Tobruk were told to expect reinforcements and supplies within eight weeks. Eight months later these heroic, gallant, determined "Rats of Tobruk" were rescued by the British Navy having held the fort against the might of Rommel's never-before-defeated Afrika Corps.

Like Gallipoli and Kokoda, the siege of Tobruk is an iconic battle in Australia's military history. Under ceaseless attack from Rommel's men, the Australian defense held strong. In Tobruk, Peter FitzSimons relates the personal histories and stories not only of the men who defended the garrison against the German onslaught but of the Desert Fox, Erwin Rommel, and the powers back in both Berlin and Britain.

This is one of the greatest books on a battle or conflict I've read, the author (Peter Fitzsimons) manages to perfectly convey the experiences of the Australian, British, Polish and German forces who battled at Tobruk. Humor and mateship is key in this book and it truly shows the human element of the battle. If only more knew of this book and the Battle Of Tobruk itself.

This ain't just for Aussies (though I can see how this book could definitely make them puff their chests out in pride!) What a great book! This covers a battle of World War 2 that I hadn't heard about it, but I must fess up that I'd never been that interested in the war in Africa. I know: Shame on me! And I also confess that at the last minute I changed the Overall to 5-stars. The reason: It was so good that I ran to the computer to use a credit for "Kokoda" because I thought the author was brilliant at making figures of history so real to me and for making the men who fought in the battle men that I desperately wanted the best for.This is a seamless narrative, great representation of characters, with a drop-dead thrilling "plot." I do, however, get twitchy about narrators, and while Bower was almost flawless, I thought I had to listen at x1.25 speed to get that sense of breathlessness that I desire in something that needs the swift pacing that the story seems to demand.If you're a war buff, or if you just like good action with lots of humor, give this book a try. Definitely credit-worthy.My favorite line from the soldiers that I have added to my working dialogue: "If it's stupid and it works... It ain't stupid!"

9 of 9 people found this review helpful

J B Tipton

Minneapolis, MN USA

22/11/08

Overall

"Fair dinkum"

This is an entertaining Aussie-eye view of events in World War 2, centering on, but not limited to, the stubborn defense of Tobruk. The book is written in colloquial Australian-English and is well recorded and, as nearly as I can tell, perfectly read. Highly recommended.

18 of 19 people found this review helpful

Charles

West Monroe, LA, USA

24/01/09

Overall

"The Few, The Proud, The Australian!"

This is an outstanding history of the battle of Tobruk and Australia's role in World War II from the point of view of the digger, the average Aussie soldier. It is biased towards the Aussies, who at times Fitzsimmons paints as supermen, but Fitzsimmons admits his bias in the introduction. This is an ode to Australia's World War II soldiers and an entertaining listen, especially the slang. This book is a primer on Australian slang. I thought the narrator was great, but at times the Australian slang may be too much for some listeners.

"Tobruk" is a great book for serious World War II buffs, because frankly it goes into details about the Aussies that no general campaign history will ever cover. Fitzsimmons is tough on nearly every non-Australian leader other than Rommel, but his critical assessment of Churchill is particularly refreshing.

If you like "Tobruk" I would recommend "At All Costs" by Sam Moses about the siege of Malta too.

9 of 10 people found this review helpful

Meade

Flanders, NJ, USA

10/01/09

Overall

"Great Story"

A great story well told. I've read A LOT of history books about WWII, this one goes up there with the Battle of the Buldge by Ambrose. Rarely do Americans realize how much effort other non-European countries put into the winning. This book goes beyond the battle and includes all the interesting political and background info leading up to and through the battle.

5 of 6 people found this review helpful

Rory

Philly

9/11/12

Overall

Performance

Story

"Written book vs Audible--Incredible Performance"

Often I have discussions with my family and friends about what movies made better books, and vice versa. With audible, the question is "does a narrator do a book justice?" Well, with Tobruk, I have to be honest, I doubt I would ever stayed with this if I picked it up off a bookshelf. The author has an unusual story telling style that I doubt comes off well if simply read. He mixes tenses, writes from imagined view of participants, complete with a slang, and worse, he segues from well-described battle scenes to anecdotes that while they may or may not truly relate to his story, they definitely hinder momentum built up by the prior scene. He even quotes Shakespeare at odd moments(sometimes without attributing).

However, having said that, Humprhrey Bower transforms this book and somehow brings this fascinating story to life. I am two thirds through the book and loving it. Bower does a great job of transporting you to the scene of the battle, to life in tanks and trenches, the hot sun beating down, the trepidation of the battle, the heart wrenching sorrow of an Australian wife whose husband is in the battle. Even the odd slang sprinkled throughout, which at times reminds you of characters in 1940's movies saying "Golly Gee" or "Goshdarnit" ,comes off well done.

The story itself is worthwhile, the heroism of the Australians stopping the German Blitzkrieg. Obviously the author is in love with his subject, so don't expect an objective view, although he does a good job covering the German viewpoint.To be honest, this really comes across like a novel, not a history. What you might call a docudrama or dramatization. Personally I think I would have loved Fitzsimmons book more if he had written a straight up novel, as this so much reminded me of Stephen Pressfield's Killing Rommel.

As for Bower, I am definitely interested in picking up another book he narrates. I listened to a sample of Kokoda by Fitzgibbons and while style is the same, it isn't Bower, and sounded very flat compared to this book.

By the way, the common complaint in other reviews before I purchased is about the slow start. I didn't find it as bad as all that. He first mentions desert warfare in Chapter 4 and really doesn't even mention Tobruk itself until the following chapter. Yes, this certainly could have been trimmed, but again, Bower kept me going. Stick with it as the battle scenes are very well done.

4 of 5 people found this review helpful

Robert Lofstedt

Canada

10/01/17

Overall

Performance

Story

"Outstanding"

At first, I struggled through the immense detail provided by the author but resolved to return to the read in remembrance of my father who was captured in Tobruk. This detail proved essential to an understanding of the complex situation at that time. FitzSimons has done the WW11 history of Tobruk proud. The way he has woven in the lives of the participants as real people is also admirable. I was left with tears in my eyes. Humphrey Bower's narration is beyond superb!!

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Lionel Letcher

Frankston

31/03/16

Overall

Performance

Story

"Compelling"

One of the best audio books I have ever "read". This account reads with an air of responsibility to the memories of the gallant young Australians who so bravely, and selflessly served their country for a much grander purpose. A truly remarkable work by Peter Fitzsimons.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Graham

Seahampton, Australia

18/06/11

Overall

"ABSOLUTELY BLOODY FANTASTIC"

I thoroughly enjoyed the book, the timelines and the way the reader is involved in mutiple parallel stories on different sides of the globe adds much depth and is significant to the complete works.
Very well written and wonderfully read by Humphrey.

3 of 4 people found this review helpful

O'Brien

Singleton, Australia

16/05/11

Overall

"Well written , entertaining and captivating"

An excellent yarn and the equivalent of a book that you can't put down. The story is well structured and apart from the usual character set up at the beginning of the book I was never bored. The narrator’s change of pitch at the start of some chapters was a bit off putting, though this didn't detract from the overall experience. Can't wait for my next credit to grab Kokoda by the same author.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Rev

5/06/17

Overall

Performance

Story

"another excellent Peter Fitzsimmons book"

Peter has a way of drawing you into the both the overarching story as well as the personal livesof those involved. fantastic

0 of 0 people found this review helpful

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Darren

Stroud, United Kingdom

6/02/09

Overall

"Absolutely superb."

Absolutely superb. 23 hours long means no stone is left unturned with this, everything is covered in detail from the world Political situation to the action on the frontline. But it never gets boring with plenty of drama and a healthy dose of humour. The Aussie bloke reading it does it good job too.

6 of 6 people found this review helpful

Richard

rochester, United Kingdom

10/05/11

Overall

"Australians in North Africa"

One of the most striking statements in this book concerns the German’s asking Australians what they are doing in North Africa. At a time when Japan was threatening Australia and the war was going badly in the Pacific a large army of Australians where fighting under the British in the desert campaign. Their contribution was vital and their reputation was second to none. This is their story and I would not hesitate to recommend it. It is packed with detail from the soldiers on the ground to the Australian PM travelling to Britain to plead with Churchill to allow Australians to command Australians and to allow troops home to defend their homeland. It is a stark reminder of the power of the Empire that South Africans, New Zealanders and Indians where also there. While their existence and contribution is largely unknown in the UK, it is engrained into the memories of their ancestors as much as the Dunkirk and the Battle of Britain are in the UK. A very well written and narrated story.

5 of 5 people found this review helpful

Lester

Hastings, United Kingdom

9/11/11

Overall

"Tobruk"

I don't normally write reviews, however this is up there with Jackson's 'storm of war', Evans 'Third Reich' series, and Lord's 'Miracle of Dunkirk'. It's an excellent book.

4 of 4 people found this review helpful

Paul

near Carnoustie, United Kingdom

2/11/11

Overall

"Torbruk by Peter Fitzsimons"

A first rate story well presented I could imagine the hardship of warfare in such an unforgiving environment. I highly recommend this audio book

4 of 4 people found this review helpful

Mr. Philip Sketchley

uk

6/09/17

Overall

Performance

Story

"Definitely worth a listen (or read)"

An excellent book. The story jumps about a bit - but the inclusion of stories about individual soldiers brings it to life. A torrid time for so many Brave men. My father served in North Africa at El Alamein and spoke very respectfully of the Aussie soldiers.

0 of 0 people found this review helpful

Rob Richardson

16/03/15

Overall

Performance

Story

"Fantastic book a must read!"

I really enjoyed this book, it was extremely factual without being boring!I would fully recommend it to anyone interested in the Second World War.

0 of 0 people found this review helpful

Andrew

15/01/15

Overall

Performance

Story

"Sublime and Ridiculous."

This is a fascinating work about a really important and gripping campaign. The scholarship is admirable. The narration is excellent. The writing style is dreadful; stoked up with cliches and using a conversational style that is like the worst Chips Rafferty script. This could have been a great novel or an outstanding account of a fascinating military campaign. It is neither but worth gritting your teeth to get through all the "their's but to do and die" and "Fair dinkum cobber" clutter to the treasure beyond.

0 of 0 people found this review helpful

Andy

Leicester, United Kingdom

7/07/14

Overall

Performance

Story

"Easy listen history lite account"

Is there anything you would change about this book?

More quoting of primary sources needed - much of the book is unattributed. Example writing about thoughts of people who left no written record - pure imagination.